Operation experiences of radioactivity monitoring system for the mercury system in J-PARC

Harada, Masahide; Tajima, Takahiro*; Ito, Taku*; Masuda, Shiho; Kinoshita, Hidetaka; Sakai, Kenji; Muto, Giichi*; Suzuki, Akio*; Haga, Katsuhiro

JPS Conference Proceedings (Internet), 45, p.011053_1 - 011053_5, 2026/06

https://doi.org/10.7566/JPSCP.45.011053

At Materials and Life science experimental Facility (MLF) in J-PARC, a mercury target of an intense pulsed spallation neutron source is designed to be irradiated by 3 GeV and 1MW proton beams to provide high intensity neutron beams to a suit of neutron instruments. A unified mercury radioactivity monitor (UHAM) is installed to find an indication of failure of the mercury target and loop system by detecting radioactive materials leaked from the system with a gamma-ray energy analysis with Germanium semi-conductor detectors. It is composed of three units of sampling port and radiation monitors: 1) HAM for interstitial helium gas layer between the mercury vessel and surrounding water shroud of the mercury target, 2) CAM for atmosphere in the hot cell where the target loop is operated and 3) VAM for helium gas in the helium vessel where the target vessel is installed. Once any leakages of radioactive materials are detected, an alarm signal is issued immediately to the accelerator control system to stop beam operation. Software and hardware have been upgraded yearly. For example, two Ge detectors are used for HAM for redundancy, NaI Scintillation detectors are also used as supplemental for the Ge detector to keep availability of the system for high counting rate event. In addition, A gas monitor is equipped at CAM to detect tritium. Until now, several operation experiences could be obtained as the follwoing. 1) Xe-121 and Xe-123 gas could be detected at CAM. These radio-active gaseous radioactive nuclides are slightly leaked from cover gas of mercury target. 2) Humidity in the helium vessel could be detected at VAM, because detection of annihilation gamma-ray and N-15 were increased. 3) The detection of Ar-41 indicated the air mixing in helium atmosphere.

Collapse of Jahn-Teller phonons in LaSrMnO with weak magnetoresistance

Sterling, T. C.*; Savici, A. T.*; Kajimoto, Ryoichi; Ikeuchi, Kazuhiko*; Khan, N.*; Weber, F.*; Reznik, D.*

Communications Materials (Internet), 7, p.121_1 - 121_11, 2026/05

https://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-026-01139-4

Numerical analysis of A and A value ratios for off-site transportation of small-amount of fuel debris retrieved from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station

Sakamoto, Masahiro; Okumura, Keisuke; Kanno, Ikuo; Matsumura, Taichi; Riyana, E. S.; Terashima, Kenichi; Kaneko, Junichi*; Mizokami, Masato*; Mizokami, Shinya*

Radioisotopes, 75(S-01), p.S-001_1 - S-001_5, 2026/04

https://doi.org/10.3769/radioisotopes.S-001

Background aerial monitoring and UAV radiation monitoring technology development for emergency response and preparedness in the fiscal year 2024 (Contract research)

Futemma, Akira; Ochi, Kotaro; Sasaki, Miyuki; Nakama, Shigeo; Kawasaki, Yoshiharu*; Iwai, Takeyuki*; Hiraga, Shogo*; Haginoya, Masashi*; Matsunaga, Yuki*; Sanada, Yukihisa; et al.

JAEA-Technology 2025-015, 171 Pages, 2026/03

JAEA-Technology-2025-015.pdf:11.43MB

On March 11, 2011, the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake and tsunami caused the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident, releasing radioactive material. Since then, Aerial Radiation Monitoring (ARM) with manned helicopters has been used to assess radiation distribution quickly. In FY2024, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), under commission from the Nuclear Regulation Authority, conducted ARM around the Shimane Nuclear Power Station, producing background dose rate maps validated against ground and other data. During a nuclear emergency drill, UAV training flights complemented manned monitoring, confirming the effectiveness of real-time communication and rapid mapping. The UAV data system was developed and demonstrated for real-time analysis and multi-platform use. Skill training for multicopters was also conducted to strengthen operational capability. Additionally, joint monitoring with the U.S., France, South Korea, and Canada provided insights into international technologies and practices, emphasizing the value of information sharing. This report summarizes the results and technical challenges from these FY2024 activities, contributing to the advancement of emergency radiation monitoring.

Residual stress relief effect in gradient structural steel and remaining life evaluation under stochastic fatigue loads

Qin, T. Y.*; Hu, F. F.*; Xu, P. G.; Zhang, R.*; Su, Y. H.; Ao, N.*; Li, Z. W.*; Shinohara, Takenao; Shobu, Takahisa; Wu, S. C.*

International Journal of Fatigue, 202, p.109233_1 - 109233_16, 2026/01

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2025.109233

Development of nuclear security technologies for a large public event (Collaboration research)

Takahashi, Tone; Mochimaru, Takanori*; Koizumi, Mitsuo; Yoshimi, Yuki*; Yamanishi, Hirokuni*; Wakabayashi, Genichiro*; Ito, Fumiaki*

JAEA-Review 2025-039, 34 Pages, 2025/11

JAEA-Review-2025-039.pdf:2.18MB

To prevent acts of terrorism involving nuclear or radioactive materials at major public events, it is required to have surveillance technologies that either prevent these materials from being brought in or detect quickly if somebody brings them in secretly. Setting radiation gate monitors to survey pedestrians and vehicles is one of the effective methods. However, considering the possibility of individuals bypassing these monitors, complementary technologies are needed to continuously survey areas inside the gates. To survey extensive areas, radiation mapping is effective. By using multiple detectors and aggregating the data, the survey becomes much more efficient. We have developed mobile detectors capable of simultaneously measuring location data and radiation levels outdoors, with the ability to aggregate measurement results via a network and immediately visualize them on a map. For indoor environments, we have developed a technology that integrates radiation measurement results with environmental mapping created using SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) to produce 3D maps of the surveyed areas. Additionally, we have been working on the development of a source search technology using a fast neutron detector to quickly detect neutron sources, including nuclear materials. In this report, we describe a concept of the wide area survey system and report technology development results so far.

Optimising sodium incorporation into potassium-activated metakaolin-based alkali-activated materials

Chaerun, R. I.; Sato, Junya; Hiraki, Yoshihisa; Yoshida, Yukihiko; Sato, Tsutomu*; Osugi, Takeshi

Construction and Building Materials, 500, p.144270_1 - 144270_10, 2025/11

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.144270

Alkali-activated materials (AAMs), particularly those derived from metakaolin, have gained significant attention as sustainable binders for hazardous waste immobilisation, owing to their dense microstructure and chemical durability. Their amorphous aluminosilicate framework enables effective encapsulation of hazardous materials and reduces environmental risks. However, maintaining the stability of this amorphous network is challenging, particularly when sodium (Na)-rich precursors are used, as excess Na) promotes crystallisation and compromises matrix integrity. This study systematically investigates the influence of Na) concentration on the structural stability of metakaolin-based AAMs activated primarily with potassium (K)). The objective is to identify the threshold Na incorporation level that preserves the amorphous structure and maintains chemical stability. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, and thermodynamic modelling were employed to examine the structural evolution of K-AAMs across a range of Na:K molar ratios. The results reveal that higher Na:K ratios induce nanopore formation and early crystallisation of Na-rich zeolitic phases, which can reduce matrix stability. In contrast, an optimal Na:K ratio was identified that maintains the amorphous network and preserves the aluminosilicate framework. These findings provide valuable insights into optimising K-AAMs for advanced, durable waste encapsulation technologies.

Uncertainty reduction of the FPs transport mechanism and debris degradation behavior and evaluation of the reactor contamination of debris state on the basis of the accident progression scenario of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Unit 2 and 3 (Contract research); FY2023 Nuclear Energy Science & Technology and Human Resource Development Project

Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science; Institute of Science Tokyo*

JAEA-Review 2025-012, 96 Pages, 2025/10

JAEA-Review-2025-012.pdf:3.99MB

JAEA/CLADS had been conducting the Nuclear Energy Science & Technology and Human Resource Development Project. The Project aims to contribute to solving problems in the nuclear energy field represented by the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. (TEPCO). Among the adopted proposals in FY2021, this report summarizes the research results of the "Uncertainty reduction of the FPs transport mechanism and debris degradation behavior and evaluation of the reactor contamination of debris state on the basis of the accident progression scenario of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station unit 2 and 3" conducted from FY2021 to FY2023. The present study aims to elucidate the cause of the high dosage under shield plug by clarification of to the cesium behavior of migration, adhesion to structure and deposition as well as evaluate the properties of metal-rich debris predeceasing melted through the materials science approach based on the most probable scenario of accident progression of Unit 2 and 3. Through three years investigation, chemi-absorption configuration of Cs has been elucidated to change with acidity of steel surface during oxidation in humid atmosphere and CsO trapping compound as well as penetration depth have found to be importantly considered. For metallic debris, solid oxidation was found to be controlled by FeO formation and molten state was found to tend to preferentially yield ZrO resulting in formation of slate structure during solidification. Present findings obtained are contributing to better improve the accuracy of accident progression scenario in FDNPP in viewpoint of backward analysis.

High-temperature oxidation failure in reactivity-initiated accidents; An Evaluation of failure criteria based on oxygen concentration from the previous NSRR experiments

Luu, V. N.; Taniguchi, Yoshinori; Udagawa, Yutaka; Katsuyama, Jinya

Nuclear Engineering and Design, 442, p.114222_1 - 114222_15, 2025/10

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2025.114222

Experimental verification to developing safety technology for liquefied hydrogen in the project "STACY"

Tanaka, Hirohisa*; Matsumura, Daiju; 10 of others*

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 141, p.1088 - 1097, 2025/06

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.01.284